49ers Lose Brian Fleury to Seahawks as Coaching Staff Turnover Continues
The San Francisco 49ers are once again dealing with coaching staff turnover, as tight ends coach Brian Fleury is departing for a major opportunity within the division.
Fleury is headed to the Seattle Seahawks to serve as their new offensive coordinator, accepting the position just one day after interviewing.
The move represents both a professional leap for Fleury and another adjustment for a 49ers staff that has experienced consistent offseason poaching in recent years.
Fleury’s steady rise in San Francisco
Fleury joined the 49ers in 2019 as a defensive quality control coach.
He later transitioned to the offensive side of the ball, maintaining the same quality control role before climbing the ladder internally.
In 2022, he was promoted to tight ends coach.
By 2025, his responsibilities expanded even further.
Fleury added run game coordinator duties to his résumé while continuing to oversee the tight ends group.
That dual role reflected the trust placed in him by head coach Kyle Shanahan and the broader offensive staff.
San Francisco’s ground attack evolved noticeably during the 2025 season.
While the overall results did not consistently meet championship expectations, the scheme itself became more varied and creative.
New formations, shifting angles, and expanded usage concepts stood out on film.
Those innovations did not go unnoticed around the league.
Seahawks move signals belief in offensive upside
Seattle’s decision to elevate Fleury to offensive coordinator underscores the impression he made beyond the Bay Area.
Head coach Mike Macdonald clearly viewed Fleury as a coach aligned with the modern direction of NFL offense.
Fleury previously interviewed for the offensive coordinator position with the New England Patriots in 2024, signaling that he had already entered league wide consideration for top offensive roles.
His departure now formalizes that trajectory.
For Seattle, the hire suggests an appetite for fresh schematic perspective and continued evolution.
For San Francisco, it creates an immediate vacancy with layered implications.
What this means for the 49ers
Replacing Fleury will not be a simple one to one transition.
He carried multiple titles, blending positional coaching with broader run game responsibilities.
The 49ers may need to restructure duties internally or bring in more than one hire to fill the gap.
Shanahan’s system has long been regarded as one of the league’s most intricate offensive structures.
Continuity matters within that framework.
The loss of a coach who had grown within the system for seven seasons presents both challenge and opportunity.
The 49ers remain a destination for rising coaching talent, but sustained turnover can strain even the most stable staffs.
As divisional rivals strengthen and offensive innovation accelerates league wide, San Francisco’s ability to adapt will once again be tested.
Brian Fleury’s promotion is a testament to his growth.
It is also a reminder that successful organizations inevitably become talent pipelines for the rest of the NFL.
